Some of the most decisive verses on the subject of Jesus being God and Man are found in the gospel according to John. Consider: John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. Then also verse 14 of the same chapter And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. Then we move to chapter 3 and verse 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. It is clear then that Jesus was indeed God.
I do not claim to understand how He could be 100% God and 100% man. The scriptures plainly state such to be true. The passage cited from Philippians 2 does a good job of describing at least in part what was involved.
If Christ was not totally man he would have been seen as having some sort of advantage over us. Yet he was "tempted in all points like as we are". If He were not totally God then the scriptures would be unreliable for they say of Him "for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, Colossians 2:9. Truly what a Savior we have.
We cited John 3:16 earlier in this post. It is a favorite of many people. "God so loved" expresses a sentiment which brings comfort to many people. Have you ever wondered what "love" looks like? Someone once told me "I never saw much love". I would like you to ponder the question "What does love look like?" As you consider your answer please describe it in regards to the "love of God" for us, a parents love for children and our love for another human being. Happy pondering!
Why Does It Matter?
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He remembers what the squall was, but his mom and dad never even had a
clue. Not even when the event took place. There is nothing quite like the
experience...
4 years ago
3 comments:
Josiah, In the world around us we see depicted what Satan (the prince of this world) would have us believe love is. It is a gratification of (worldly) desires. I can't remember any time that Jesus uses the term 'love' without it going with an action, ie. (John 14:15 If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.) God does many things for us: Provides for our necessities, teaches us, rewards us, disciplines us. In the same way, a parent cares for a child. Without any of these things a parent is negligent. God is not required (and neither is a good parent) to 'give' us everything that we want. As to our 'love' for other human beings, I assume you refer to others not related to us, friends, neighbors, enemies, strangers, etc.
(Romans 13:8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.
9) For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.) Or it could be also summed up in Matt. 7:12--also known as 'The Golden Rule--Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (my paraphrase). The person who 'didn't see much love' must have grown up in a ghetto or similar situation. Most all of us just really need to open our eyes and look around. The creation that surrounds us is proof enough of God's love, and everything else is pudding on the cake, or whatever? Good added to good. There is a little poem that starts, "For my home and parents care..." and it details the blessings of a child raised in a godly home. We are the same, because God has blessed and continues to bless us with our homes, our families, our friends, and so much more.
James 2:16 and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit?--But we need to remember that 'love' is not just not doing evil to someone. It is not just wishing someone well, but giving them what they need. (which isn't always what they want). ;p) Deboraw
Dear Josiah,
What does love look like? Love looks like a caring someone providing the needs of another.
In respect to God's love for us, we can see that He always provides our needs whether the day-to-day physical needs of food, shelter, and protection (Matthew 6:24-34), or the more important spiritual needs of salvation (John 3:16), soul-food (I Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-13), and protection (Ephesians 6:10-18).
A parent's love for the child? Again providing both sets of needs, the physical and the spiritual (Ephesians 6:1-4)
Our love for each other? Again, with the physical needs like the 1st century church did (Acts 4:34-35) and the spiritual needs as well (Hebrews 3:12-13; Matthew 28:18-20; I Thessalonians 5:12-14).
But love is more than just providing for others. At its very basis, is a care or concern for other's welfare (not the kind government gives out) or well-being. God so loved . . . John 3:16 begins. Paul writes in dealing with love: "If I do. . .and have not love, I am . . ." in I Corinthians 13. Jesus described to the lawyer, the love we are to have for our neighbours in Luke 10:25-37.
That is what love looks like.
Christian
Josiah, After reading Christian's post, it occurred to me, how strange the thought "If I do...and do not have love..." I have wondered in the past, if a person 'has not love' what would motivate them to do some of those things? It also should cause each of us to examine our faith and actions. Deboraw
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